They directed their course towards the Solomon Islands, and there perished, with everything, on the westerly coast of the chief island of the group, between Capes Deception and Satisfaction." "How do you know that ?" "By this, that I found on the spot where was the last wreck." Captain Nemo showed me a tin-plate box, stamped with the French arms, and corroded by the salt water.

He opened it, and I saw a bundle of papers, yellow but still readable.
They were the instructions of the naval minister to Commander La Perouse, annotated in the margin in Louis XVI's handwriting.
"Ah! it is a fine death for a sailor!" said Captain Nemo, at last.

"A coral tomb makes a quiet grave; and I trust that I and my comrades will find no other.".